Independent Health Again Among the Nation’s Highest-Rated Health Insurance Plans for 2016-2017

BUFFALO, NY, September 20, 2016 – Independent Health is again one of the highest-rated health insurance plans in the nation according to the 2016-2017 Health Insurance Plan Ratings by The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a private, leading organization dedicated to improving health care quality.

“We’re very proud that Independent Health is again being recognized as one of the highest-rated health plans in the U.S. This recognition from NCQA is the latest in a long line of national honors we’ve received for quality and service,” said Michael Cropp, MD, president & CEO, Independent Health. “As a widely recognized symbol of quality in health care, NCQA’s rating for 2016-2017 reaffirms Independent Health’s commitment and ability to consistently provide the highest level of service for our members to get the care they need.”

Independent Health’s HMO/POS (Commercial/Private) products are rated 4.5 out of 5 in NCQA’s 2016-2017 Health Insurance Plan Ratings. In addition, Independent Health rated 4 out of 5 for both its Medicare HMO and PPO products and 3.5 out of 5 for its Medicaid HMO product. These ratings are based on clinical quality, member satisfaction and NCQA accreditation standards.

Independent Health has consistently been rated among the top health plans in the country for customer service and member satisfaction. Earlier this year, Independent Health was recognized as the highest ranked health insurance plan for member satisfaction among commercial health plans in the New York/New Jersey region by J.D. Power’s 2016 U.S. Member Health Plan Study. Additionally, Independent Health earned 4.5 out of 5 stars by Medicare in its 2015 rating of Medicare Advantage plans based on quality, value and performance.

For the 2016-2017 Health Insurance Plan Ratings, NCQA reviewed 1,500 health plans and rated more than 1,000 private, Medicare and Medicaid health insurance plans based on their combined Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS), Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS), and NCQA Accreditation scores. NCQA uses a ratings methodology that classifies plans into scores from 0-5 in 0.5 increments – a system similar to CMS’ Five-Start Quality Rating System.

About NCQA:National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations and recognizes clinicians in key clinical areas. NCQA’s HEDIS is the most widely used performance and measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s Web site (www.ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices.